Harvard Sued For Allegedly Limiting Number Of Asian-Americans It Admits

Harvard University's admission policies were challenged Monday when the Project on Fair Representation sued the school on behalf of Asian-American students denied admission. The students are part of the nonprofit Students for Fair Admissions.

The lawsuit claims that Harvard gives preference to white, black and Hispanic applicants over more highly qualified Asian-American applicants and limits the number of Asian-Americans it admits each year in what amounts to an unconstitutional "quota" system.

The suit cites last year's Supreme Court ruling that schools striving for diverse student bodies can no longer use race-based affirmative action policies.

Harvard has denied that it uses quotas in its admissions process. But the plaintiffs say that the number of Asian-Americans that Harvard admits today is lower than it was 20 years ago even though the number of highly qualified Asian-American applicants to the school has nearly doubled.

But some members of the Asian-American community are skeptical of targeting Asian-Americans in efforts to fight affirmative action policies.

Jennifer Lee, professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine.

The Harvard Crimson: Suit Alleges Race-Based Discrimination in Harvard Admissions Practices